Combined truck and hoist device



March 7, 1950 R. w. BAKER 2,500,055

COMBINED TRUCK AND HOIST DEVICE Filed May 19, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l :1 I I; Rat-7223f.- 1563f! 3f Bea/fer Amey March 7, 1950 R. w. BAKER 2,500,055

Y COMBINED TRUCK AND HOIST DEVICE Filed May 19, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 42 V 34 Jfztzznlcv JTZ-qf J14 Ba/fer Y mam flmz'y Patented Mar. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to a combined truck and hoist device of the manually operable type which is adapted for hoisting, hauling, and supporting receptacles or divers types of heavy bulky items.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide such a unit which is capable of hoisting and handling, with facility, open'top barrels.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a combined truck and hoist unit which may be readily handled by a single operator.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a unit of the above noted type which, although most efiicient in use, is, at the same time, designed to be readily and inexpensively manufactured.

A further object of the present invention is to provide with such a truck unit a hoist or grasp device which is particularly adapted for grasping open top receptacles such as barrels.

With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, the invention comprises the devices, combinations, and arrangements of parts hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment of the invention from which the several features of the invention and the advantages attained thereby will readily be understood by those skilled in the art.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of the present unit tilted to its barrel-engaging position, the barrel being illustrated as resting upon a floor in a ve tical position.

Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the device in its normal or barrel-sustaining position.

Fig. 3 represents, on an enlarged scale, a fragme tary side elevation of the present truck with the grasp or hoist element removed therefrom.

Fig. 4 rep"esents a top plan view of the device as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 represents a fragmentary front elevation view of a portion of the truck, which view is taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 represents, on an enlarged scale, a front elevation view of the grasp unit which is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. '7 represents a bottom plan view of a portion of the device disclosed in Fig. 6, which view is taken substantially along the line '|1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 represents a large scale fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 represents a front elevation view of the present grasp unit disclosing the same in its operable position with an open top barrel secured between its jaws.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the present truck unit comprises a substantially U-shaped base generally designated by the numeral l5, which is supported upon a pair of front wheels l6, l6 and a single rear swivel wheel II. More specifically, the present base l5 comprises a pair of similarly shaped arms l8, I8 each of which has its one end portion threaded within a T-shaped union member I9. Welded to the union member I 9 are a pair of angle plates 20, 20, to the bottom portions of which is secured a conventional type swivel wheel I 1. Referring particularly to Fig. 5, each of the front wheels l6, I6 is rotatably mounted between a pair of spaced plates 2|, 2| which are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the forward end portion of a respective one of the arms l8, l8.

Threaded into the upper portion of the union I 9 is an upright column 22, the upper end of which is curved so as to form a hoist or grasp support 23. In order to lend rigidity to the column 22, there are provided a pair of brace members 24, 24 each of which has its lower end portion suitably secured, as by means of a bolt 25, to a plate 26 which may be welded upon the upper portion of one of the arms 18. The upper portion of each of the braces 24, 24 is similarly bolted, or otherwise secured, to a respective one of a pair of plates 21, 21 which are welded upon the opposite side portions of the upright column 22.

Projecting rearwardly from the upright column 22 is a handle member 28 having handgrip portions 29, 29 formed at the free end thereof. The other end portion of the handle is welded to the upright column 22. In order to lend rigidity to the handle 28, there is provided a brace member 28', the lower end portion of which is welded to the base of the column 22, while the upper portion thereof is similarly secured to the free end portion of the handle. 7

From the above, it will be readily understood that the present hand truck is adapted to be supported. on a floor surface by means of the wheels 16, I6 and I! in a manner such that the. truck may be readily trundled about from place to place by a single operator. Furthermore-it will be appreciated that the truck structure is designed in a manner such that it may be readily and inexpensively fabricated.

;, As hereinabove noted, the present truck device hoisting and hauling various and bulky objects, and particularly open top barrels. In order to adapt the present truck unit for such hoisting operations, it is provided with a hoist or grasp device which is more fully de scribed hereinbelow. More specifically, the upper horizontal portion 23 of the column 22 is provided with a swivel eye bolt 38 having its free end portion received within an apertured portion of the column and secured thereto by means of a nut 35; Pivotally connected to this eye bolt, in the usual manner, is a depending hook elem nt 32 upon which a grasp or hoist element may be carried.

The present grasp or hoist unit-is particularly p disclosed in Fi s. 6 to 9, inclusive. ticularly to Figs. 6 and 7, the present grasp comprises a pair of angle members 33 and t iwhich are spaced apart and secured together by means Referring parof a pair of bracket members 35, 35. Each of these bracket members is secured by means of bolts 35 to the lower flangeportions of the angle members 33 and 34. Although the-angle brackets 35, 35 function to space the members 33' and B apart, there are provided a pair of auxiliary spacing elements in the form of a pair of aperturcd cylindrical collars 3?, 31. As may be.

particularly noted in Fig. 6, each of these collars 37 is disposed directly between the members 33.

and 3 appropriately disposed aperturesprovidedby the members and 34.

Still referring to Figs. 6 and '7, it is to be noted that each of the bracket members 35, 35 has secured thereto, as by means'of bolts 39, 39, a hardand abolt 38 passes through the collar and has its opposite end portions received withinv ened jaw element at. More specifically, each of.

particularly seen in Fig. 7, eachof the jaws ii, ii

has its active or barrel-engaging face formed as a convex serrated surface so'as properly to mate" with its associated jaw 49. From this, it maybe readily understood that each of the plate mem-' bers cs,- may be rotated about its pivot pin soas to shift its jaw M toward or away from its associated stationary or concave jaw 4t.

Referring particularly to Figs. 6 and 8, there is slidingly mounted between the members 33 and a vertically disposed jaw-actuating bar 55. The lower portion of the bar has pivotally secured thereto, as by means of a pair of pins it, two pairs of link elements 11, 47. Each pair of these link elements 4?, ll are also pivotally secured to a respective one of the'plates -33, 63 as by means of a pin 48. From this, it will be readily appreciated that whenever the bar 4'5-is in its lowermost position, as illustrated in Fig. 6; it will function to hold the jaws M, M away from their associated jaws 53, 4t; ever the bar is raised relative to the members 33 and 34' it will function to shift the movable jaws ll, ii toward their associated stationary jaws 2-0, ii) to the end that'these jaws may grasp the opposite side portions; of. areceptacle-in am n" ne'r as-p icularlydi'scl'os'ed in-Fig-9.1 Those By the sam'e token, whenportion of the bar 55.

present grasp operates in the manner of a toggle mechanism for the purpose of applying a treendous gripping force between each pair of the associated jaws.

Reierring now particularly to Figs. 6 and 8, it will be noted that the upper portion of the vertically disposed bar 55 is provided with an aperture 59 which is particularly adapted for receiving the above noted hook element 32 so as to suspend the entire grasp from the upper portion 23 of the truck column 322. In order properly to guide the bar 45 between the elements 33 and 34 there are provided a pair of guide pins 58, 50, each of which may be force-fitted or riveted across the spaced elements 32 and 31 adjacent a respective side From the above, it will be manifest thatwhenever the grasp unit, as disclosed in Fig. 6, is suspended from the truck hook 37!, the weight of the grasp unit will be sufiicient to force the elements 33 and 34 downwardly relative to the bar to the end that the jaws will be closed. Therefore, in order to hold the jaws open, the present invention contemplates the provision of a latch pin 5! which is particularly illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8. More specifically, this latch pin is slidingly mounted within a sleeve 52 which is secured by screws =53, 53 directly to the member The members 33 and 34 are provided with axially aligned apertures 55 and 55 for receiving one end of the pin 55 which is biased toward these unit may be suspended from the hook 32.

aperturesby a coil spring 56; the inward movement of the pin.

Theupper portion of the bar 45 is provided with an aperture 53 which is adapted to receive the'latch pin 5! whenever the bar is in the position disclosed in 6. From this it will be manifest that the latch pin functions to hold the jawsin their open position whenever it is received within the bar aperture 58, even though the grasp It will also be appreciated that an operator may permit the jaws to closeunder the force of gravity by merely pullingthe latch pin 51 outwardly against the force of its spring 56;

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 9, there is disclosed an ordinary type open top cylindrical barrel or drum which is generally designated'by the numeral 59. In order to secure the above described grasp or hoist unit to such an open top drum, it is merely necessary to position the grasp above the drum with the jaws locked in their open position, and thereafter the entire grasp unit may be lowered so that the stationary or outer jaws M 59 willsnap over the chime portion of the drum into theposition disclosed in resting place.

Fig, 9. In this connection, it is to be understood that the distance between the jaws 49, 50v is substantially'the same as the outside diameter of the drum, and due to the fact that each of these jaws has its lower edge portion beveled, as at 50, it will be understood that the jaws may be readily snapped into position over the chime of the barrel. Once the grasp isso positioned about the barrel, the operator may then release the latch mechanism 5: and thereafter the bar limay be elevated was to close the inside jaws to .the end that the opposite wall portions oixthe-drum will be locked between the jaws. Further. elevation of the bar 15' w'ill'iunction to raise the entire barrel ofi its lhe action of the barrel jaws does not-depend upon the presence of achime about the barrel.

In order properly-.tocenterzthe grasp unit upon sii'msa iatne art willreadily-understandltiiat:theii =..-p1ates':the;provision :of axguide armitwhose' one A flange 51. limits end portion is riveted, or otherwise suitably secured, to the member 33 in a manner as is particularly illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8. Thus, the guide 6| projects away from the grasp device, and is provided at its free end portion with a depending finger 62. It is to be understood that the finger 62 is adapted to engage the inner wall portion of the barrel in a manner such as to insure that the jaws of the grasp will engage the barrel at diametrically opposite points, to the end that Whenever the barrel is suspended from the bar 45, it will have no tendency to tilt out of its normal vertical position.

In utilizing the present invention, the above described grasp unit is normally adapted to be suspended from the truck hook 32 in a manner as disclosed in Figs. 1 or 2. However, whenever it is desired to move a receptacle from one place to another, it is contemplated that the operator may remove the grasp unit from the truck and snap the unit over the side portions of the barrel or receptacle in a manner as hereinabove described. Thereafter, the operator may wheel the truck to a position adjacent the barrel, and then tilt the same to a position similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1. In such a position, the hook 32 may readily engage the hole 49 of the bar 45 of the grasp, and thereafter the operator may release the latch 5|, and by depressing the truck handle 28, it will be clear that the barrel will be elevated from the floor as the truck is shifted back to the position illustrated in Fig. 2. In this latter connection, it will be understood that b depressing the handle 28, the truck will move toward the barrel at the same time that it tends to lift the latter, so that the U -shaped base portion of the truck will encircle the barrel. From this, it will be appreciated that since the barrel is suspended from a single pivotal point, it will have no tendency to tilt so as to spill or splash its contents out of the barrel. Once the barrel has been elevated from the fioor, it will be locked in the position as disclosed in Fig. 2, and since the center of gravity of the barrel will be disposed directly over a point located within the confines of the three wheels of the truck, a most stable condition will prevail, so that as the truck with its barrel is trundled about, there will be no tendency for the truck to overturn.

Since in trundling the truck about over a rough floor surface there would be some tendency for the barrel to swing back and forth, the present invention contemplates the provision of a pair of barrel-snubbing members in the form of a pair of plates 63, 63. Referring particularly to Fig. 4, it is to be seen that each of these plates 63, 63 may be welded or otherwise suitably secured upon the upper portions of the arms I8, l8 so that the free outer edge of each of the plates will engage the side portions of the barrel thereby to steady the same. Also, it should be noted that the free outer edge of each of these plates is made concave so as to conform with the curvature of the barrel.

After the operator has shifted the barrel to its desired position, he may then elevate the free end portion of the truck handle 28 so that the truck will function in the manner of a hoist, so as to lower the barrel to its new resting place. It should be understood that as soon as the grasp ceases to support the barrel, the bar 45 will be lowered by gravity relative to the members 33 and 34 to the end that the jaws will be opened and thus, the latch pin 5| will snap into place, thereby locking the jaws in their open positions.

Thereafter, when the operator depresses the truck handle and shifts the truck back into its normal position, the grasp will be disengaged automatically from the barrel. The latch pin will, of course, retain the jaws in their open positions so that the grasp will be in its proper condition for engaging another barrel in the manner as hereinabove described.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising, a substantially U-shaped base, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted upon said base for supporting the latter, a column projecting from said base at a location intermediate the ends thereof so as to be disposed at right angles to a plane defined by said base, a grasp support carried by the free end portion of said column, a grasp mechanism including a horizontally disposed member, pairs of fixed and movable jaws carried upon said member, toggle mechanism carried by said member for shifting said jaws relative to each other, a toggle-actuating bar, said grasp mechanism being entirely supported upon said grasp support by said toggle-actuating bar, latch means for releasably maintaining said jaws in an open condition, and a handle member carried by and projecting from an intermediate portion of said column.

2. A device of the character described comprising, a substantially U-shaped base, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted upon said base for supporting the latter, a column projecting from said base at a location intermediate the ends thereof so as to be disposed at right angles to a plane defined by said base, a grasp support carried by the free end portion of said column, a grasp mechanism including a horizontally disposed member, a first jaw fixed upon each of the opposite end portions of said member, a second jaw pivoted upon each of the opposite end portions of said member adjacent a respective one of said first jaws, toggle mechanism connected to each of said second jaws, a toggle-actuating bar slidingly mounted upon said member, said grasp mechanism being entirely supported upon said grasp support by said toggle-actuating bar, said toggle mechanism being so arranged that the second jaws will each be shifted towards its associated first jawunder the force of gravity whenever the grasp is suspended from said grasp support, and a handle member carried by and projecting from an intermediate portion of said column.

3. A grasp device of the character described comprising, an elongated frame member, a pair of jaws fixed upon said member, a pair of jaws of which each is pivoted upon said member adjacent a respective one of said fixed jaws, an actuating bar slidingly mounted upon said member for movement crosswise of said member, toggle links connecting one end of said bar to said pivoted jaws, means associated with the other end portion of said bar for supporting the entire grasp unit, and latch means associated with said member for releasabl maintaining said bar and said member in a predetermined fixed position relative to each other. i

4. A grasp device of the character described comprising, an elongated frame member, a jaw fixed upon each of the opposite end portions of said member, a jaw pivotally mounted upon said member adjacent a respective one of said fixed jaws, an actuating bar slidingly mounted upon said member for movements crosswise of said member, toggle links connecting one end of said bar to eachof said pivoted jaws so that'reiative REFERENCES CITED movements of said bar and member will open and r close said jaws, and means associated with the g s ig ggggf gg are of record m the other end of said banforsupporting the entire grasp unit, said toggle links being so'arranged 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS that said,- pivoted jaws will be shifted towards Number Name Date their. aS Ciat'ed fixed jaws under the-f0rce Of Hume gravity henever said grasp unit is suspended 1 1242767 Loton 1915 from Said last mentmned means 1,399,351 Lee Dec. 6: 1921 ROBERT BAKER- 10 1,453,543 Bonser May 1, 1923 2,328,224 Moorehead Aug. 31, 1943 2,360,858 Ernst Oct. 24, 1944 2,445,265 Hargrave et a1 July 13, 1948 

